Page 127 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 9 December 2008
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Another example is the ACT energy wise program and home energy advisory team, with funding of over $1.7 million to provide advice and rebates to residential home owners to encourage energy efficient and reduced greenhouse gas emission outcomes. The ACT energy wise program has responded to a total of 10,580 inquiries since its inception. ACT energy wise offers a rebate of $500 to participants who invest at least $2,000 on identified improvements.
At a time when we are all being encouraged to spend money, this rebate ticks all the boxes. It encourages Canberrans to spend their money at local businesses and through local tradespeople to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. To encourage Canberrans to upgrade their vehicles to the newer greener alternative the government has introduced differential stamp duty costs for new vehicles, which will provide the incentive for the purchase of low emission vehicles and a disincentive for the purchase of cars with poor environmental performance.
In delivering its municipal services this government is supporting green technologies and green industries through the extension of the streetlight replacement program 2008-09. Under this program 5,000 new lights will be installed in addition to the 1,713 lights that have already been replaced in 2007.
Through this government’s support an implementation plan has been developed to carry out energy efficiency improvements to Housing ACT properties. By the end of October 2008 energy efficiency improvements will have been made to 429 public housing properties. Improvements to date have primarily focused on efficient hot water systems. Work has commenced on upgrading both ceiling and wall insulation. The work included conducting an energy audit on a sample of Housing ACT properties and introducing energy efficiency heating systems into existing properties.
These initiatives show this government’s support for the environment, the economy and the community. Through these initiatives we will see the continued employment of local tradespeople and support for local businesses down the path to a greener economy.
We all recognise the need for the ACT to evolve in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible—to be a sustainable city with reduced a greenhouse gas emissions and a growing green economy. The new Assembly committees established today will increase the potential of the Legislative Assembly to hear people’s views and develop approaches to address some very difficult and complex issues, including a legislated greenhouse gas reduction target for the ACT.
At the national level the Australian government’s carbon pollution reduction scheme, or CPRS, will result in major transformations of the Australian economy, including the ACT economy, towards a greener economy. We will all be looking carefully at the Australian government’s white paper, due for release on 15 December 2008. It will outline the final design of the carbon pollution reduction scheme and the medium-term target range for reducing Australia’s carbon pollution. I understand a public meeting is being held in Canberra on 16 December at the National Convention Centre.
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